LegalFix

§ 45-20-107. Penalties -- Punitive damages -- Remedies -- Limitations -- Frivolous or harassment actions -- Notice of action.

TN Code § 45-20-107 (2019) (N/A)
Copy with citation
Copy as parenthetical citation

(a) Except as provided in § 45-20-108, any lender found by a preponderance of the evidence to have violated this chapter shall be subject to the following:

(1) The making of a high-cost home loan that violates one (1) or more of the provisions found in § 45-20-103(1), (4)-(14), (16), (17), or (19)-(21), or § 45-20-106 is subject to the following penalties:

(A) Actual damages;

(B) For willful or intentional violations, statutory damages equal to the amount of all finance charges and fees paid by the borrower and forfeiture of the remaining interest under the loan; and

(C) Costs and reasonable attorney's fees.

(2) The collecting or servicing of a high-cost home loan that violates one (1) or more of the provisions in § 45-20-103(2), (3), (15), or (18), § 45-20-104, or § 45-20-106 is subject to the following penalties:

(A) Actual damages;

(B) For willful or intentional violations, statutory damages equal to the amount of all finance charges and fees paid by the borrower; and

(C) Costs and reasonable attorney's fees.

(b) Punitive damages may be awarded where the court finds that the violation is malicious or reckless. Punitive damages shall be limited to three (3) times the actual damages and the amount of all finance charges and fees paid by the borrower, exclusive of costs and reasonable attorney's fees.

(c) The loan may be reformed to effect the remedies provided in this section.

(d) The remedies provided in this section are not exclusive and are in addition to any other remedies available to a borrower under applicable law.

(e) Any action under this section shall be brought within three (3) years from the date the borrower discovered or should have discovered the violation. This subsection (e) does not bar a borrower from asserting a violation of this chapter as a defense in an action to collect the debt that was brought more than three (3) years from the date of occurrence of the violation as a matter of defense by recoupment or set-off in the action.

(f) In any action under this section, upon finding that the action is frivolous or brought for the purpose of harassment, the court may require the borrower instituting the action to indemnify the defendant for reasonable attorney's fees and costs. To assert a claim under this section, the lender or servicer shall file a motion with the court and provide at least fifteen (15) days after service in which the borrower may respond to deny, withdraw, or amend the complaint.

(g) In any action under this section, notice of the action by copy shall be filed simultaneously with the department of financial institutions.

LegalFix

Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.

LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.

The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.

You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.

The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.

Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

We have updated our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures.